That's cause your in zone 1 as you've said. You don't have to pay for an expensive travelcard :)

Great data point (I was actually going to ask for one, but it would have made my point a little unweildy). I certainly do live a pretty good lifestyle, plus some good debt (eg, my share of rent + mortgage is almost 1500 a month).

quite comfortably? What sort of house do you have? :/

Same here. I might be easily more frugal than the average, but I definitely have everything I need for around £1500 per month.